Should I or shouldn't I...?

[chiyoaiki]

I am having some VHS which I would like to convert to digital (avi, mpeg, etc.). Currently, I am thinking of buying a DVD recorder to do the job. Is it a good way of converting, or should I buy capture card instead? What are pros and cons of the two methods?

Thanks.

[bugster]

DVD recorder: Quick, simple, restricted.

Capture Card + DVD burner + software: Slower, more complex, much more flexible.

[Capmaster]

Also, using a VCR right into a DVD Recorder means you won't be able to capture macrovision-protected commercial VHS tapes. But that's also true of the PC capture setup unless you have a TBC or a capture card that bypasses macrovision.

[Thomas Davie]

Also, using a VCR right into a DVD Recorder means you won't be able to capture macrovision-protected commercial VHS tapes. But that's also true of the PC capture setup unless you have a TBC or a capture card that bypasses macrovision.

You can also buy a DVD recorder, such as the Liteon 5001 or 5005 which can ignore the macrovision signal entirely.

Tom

[chiyoaiki]

Which would provide a better quality?

Thanks.

[evilwarmaster]

If you need or already have a DV camcorder, you can use it to capture VHS. You may still run into the Macrovision problem as bugster noted. You'll still need the dvd burner.

Oh yeah, I would think that the DVD Recorder would be higher quality (from what I've seen, some capture cards are just crap and you need a powerful computer not to constantly drop frames).

[bugster]

If you need or already have a DV camcorder, you can use it to capture VHS. You may still run into the Macrovision problem as bugster noted. You'll still need the dvd burner.

Oh yeah, I would think that the DVD Recorder would be higher quality (from what I've seen, some capture cards are just crap and you need a powerful computer not to constantly drop frames).

Actually it was Capmaster who mentioned Macrovision.

Also, with a decent capture card, you have many more options such as post capture filtering and processing, never mind editing, than you would have with a standalone DVD recorder. So it is possible to get better results going down the capture card route than with a standalone. This is especially true if you have poor source material such as old worn VHS tapes. It does require a lot more learning/time/work than a standalone though, it all depends what you want.

[lordsmurf]

Also, using a VCR right into a DVD Recorder means you won't be able to capture macrovision-protected commercial VHS tapes. But that's also true of the PC capture setup unless you have a TBC or a capture card that bypasses macrovision.

You can also buy a DVD recorder, such as the Liteon 5001 or 5005 which can ignore the macrovision signal entirely.

Tom

... hacked or old firmwares required ...

[MOVIEGEEK]

If you already own a DVD writer then I would say buy a capturecard.AverMedia cards start off at $50USD and can capture 720x480 but the best results come from a DV camcorder or analog to digital converter via firewire.One benefit to using a capturecard is you can make menus or chapters with the right software.